Title Page of The Book of Mormon; Helaman 5: 9

 

What is the gift that Jesus Christ gives to you this Christmas?

"TheBook of Mormon

An Account Written bythe Hand of Mormonupon Plates Taken from the Plates of Nephi

Wherefore, it is an abridgment of the record of the people of Nephi, and also of the Lamanites—Written to the Lamanites, who are a remnant of the house of Israel; and also to Jew and Gentile—Written by way of commandment, and also by the spirit of prophecy and of revelation—Written and sealed up, and hid up unto the Lord, that they might not be destroyed—To come forth by the gift and power of God unto the interpretation thereof—Sealed by the hand of Moroni, and hid up unto the Lord, to come forth in due time by way of the Gentile—The interpretation thereof by the gift of God.

An abridgment taken from the Book of Ether also, which is a record of the people of Jared, who were scattered at the time the Lord confounded the language of the people, when they were building a tower to get to heaven—Which is to show unto the remnant of the house of Israel what great things the Lord hath done for their fathers; and that they may know the covenants of the Lord, that they are not cast off forever—And also to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting himself unto all nations—And now, if there are faults they are the mistakes of men; wherefore, condemn not the things of God, that ye may be found spotless at the judgment-seat of Christ.

Translated by Joseph Smith, Jun."

"9 O remember, remember, my sons, the words which king Benjamin spake unto his people; yea, remember that there is no other way nor means whereby man can be saved, only through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, who shall come; yea, remember that he cometh to redeem the world." (Helaman 5: 9)

And here's the introductory commentary for this week's reading assignment: "December 23–29: “He Shall Come into the World to Redeem His People” Christmas : 

"From Nephi to Moroni, every Book of Mormon prophet was committed to the sacred purpose summarized on the book’s title page: “the convincing of [all people] that Jesus is the Christ.” One prophet saw Him as a premortal spirit, and another saw His mortal ministry in a vision. One stood on a wall to proclaim the signs of His birth and His death, and another knelt before His resurrected body, touching the wounds in His hands, feet, and side. All of them knew this essential truth: “There is no other way nor means whereby man can be saved, only through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, who … cometh to redeem the world” (Helaman 5:9).

So during this Christmas season, as believers around the world celebrate the goodness and love of God in sending His Son, ponder how the Book of Mormon has strengthened your faith in Christ. As you think about His birth, ponder why He came and how His coming has changed your life. Then you can experience the true joy of Christmas—the gift that Jesus Christ gives to you."

The Book of Mormon indeed has strengthened my faith in Christ as I study it this year 2024. I've been feeling more grateful for Him more than ever before. I've been seeing Him coming to my rescue more than ever before. His power is real. And so as I rely on Him more, I am able to do more things that I cannot do on my own. And I am able to find peace and joy in whatever circumstance I find myself in. He indeed has been changing my life. He has been transforming me into the kind of person He wants me to be. He's been turning my weaknesses into strengths. 

I am especially grateful for Him because His love for me has been enabling me to love others more than I've been able to do so before. With Him, nothing is impossible indeed. He makes miracles happen. That I am able to love others more and judge less is a miracle, one of the many miracles I've seen this year 2024. It's not my job to judge. The Lord is the Judge. So I'm leaving it up to the Lord to judge others. My job is to love others as the Lord wants me to. I'm so grateful I am able to do this job better now than ever before and I am indeed experiencing the true joy of Christmas because of this, a gift that Jesus Christ gave to me this Christmas.